I'm in love with the shape of you; We push and pull like a magnet do

[darkbreak]

[So this was the Wilde, huh? Riku's been studying some of the maps and researching the areas surrounding the city as a way to get familiar with this world. It's given him something to do, and since he can't study half of the material in the libraries and areas of the Coven (that is, if they'll even let him in) and has been dealing with the affects this world has been having on his body, it's also been a welcome distraction. Something to get through the pain and the new urges coursing through his being.

And above all, he's just been curious. Plain and simple. A part of it, he attributes to restlessness. After all, when's the last time he's spent more than a month on one single world? The past few years, he's been going from place to place, combating Heartless, the battles against Xehanort and checking in on the balance of the worlds, and of course his friends. Being in one spot suddenly felt confining.

So coming out here into the Wilde and getting to stretch his new legs and senses felt like a welcome reprieve. And coming out with Sora felt even better. Despite all the worlds and adventures they've had, how many have they been able to do together? Not many, so taking on this quest seemed like a grand opportunity. It didn't even seem all that complicated compared to what they've been through. Find a manticore and bring back a sample of it's venom. Simple enough, right?

Except finding the damned creature was the main challenge. Riku tried to get as much information from the apothecary owner as possible, even right down to the scent of the beast. But there wasn't too much to go on. His nose hasn't been able to catch the acrid and decayed smell that was described to him so far.

He huffs, long and thick snow leopard tail swaying with mild annoyance, and ears folding back. It's still relatively early in their search, but after finding all the warnings about the Wilde and the infections, he doesn't want to chance that any harm comes to Sora, especially after just finding him again. Plus, if they lose daylight (and Riku's guessing they probably will soon)...

Well, he doesn't quite want to think about that just yet. He needs to keep Sora safe.

He turns to his partner, ears relaxing.]

You feeling okay?

Comments

[darkbreak]

[He never gets tired of that chittering. Not that he'd ever telling Sora that out loud, but that combined with Sora's pouting and bunny features? It makes him even more cuter.

He retracts his paw with a laugh, smile turning just a little soft at the bunny's words. He can catch that affection both in what he says and along their shared bond.]

Guess I haven't noticed. [His tail curls around him momentarily, feeling sheepish. It's not entirely true. He has noticed the change at times, but only because it was a role he had to adopt. Taking care of Sora over that year he was sleeping. Making sure Kairi stayed safe. They are so important to him, he had to become a caretaker.

Riku swiftly moves behind Sora, once again wrapping his arms around his shoulders. With a little smirk, he rubs his cheek against a tall ear, still somehow walking in tandem with Sora.]

Well, if I wasn't bonded to such troublemakers, maybe I wouldn't have to worry all the time. You two are magnets for getting into trouble.

[He presses a light kiss on the ear, rubbing it again and maybe getting his teeth just a little too close to it.]

I love you too. And you can make whatever you want for me. Promise I won't complain.

[oathkeeper]

[And just like that Sora's scolding attitude evaporates into thin air the moment Riku speaks again and gets so close to his long rabbit ears. He feels warm and a little excited at such things and has to resist the urge to bounce on his feet. He's not a real rabbit- He doesn't need to binky when he's happy! That would be embarrassing!]

Then it's a deal! One troublemaker special is coming your way soon, Riku!

[He grins happily and then wraps an arm around Riku's as they walk.

Eventually, they do make it back to the city. The magical city twinkling in the afternoon sun with summer air and magic. Their shared cottage isn't that far away from the city gates so they'll be home very soon. A good end to a good quest and journey.]

Thanks for coming with me on this quest, Riku. We've always made a great team, huh?

[darkbreak]

[Binky all you want, Sora. Riku may tease, but he certainly won't judge. These new instincts and habits aren't easy to control, including the new expressions of happiness, and embarrassing as they may be, they're now a part of them.

Besides, with all the nuzzling and purring he does, Riku should be more embarrassed. But around Sora, he stopped caring long ago.]

Heh, it's a date then.

[The cottage is a welcome sight, as is the city itself. It's so strange. By no means is it the home they grew up in, but it's starting to become a home for them. This strange, bizarre world that's twisted them into something new, that thrusts them into various dangers... despite all that, Riku can't quite find it within himself to hate this world. It lets him spend time with Kairi instead of just with her sleeping body. Given a new life for a particular spiky pain-in-the-ass.

And most important, it's brought Sora back to him. And after a year of no leads, of feeling helpless and lonely and bordering on hopelessness at the worst of times, he would be willing to deal with the worst of this world over and over again if only to make sure Sora is safe and sound and here.]

Always have. [And he reaches up to gently tussle his hair once more before planting another soft kiss on the crown of the rabbit's head. He's barely trying to conceal the purr in his throat now, feeling warm and content and love.]

Any time. Gotta make sure my favourite bunny stays safe.

[oathkeeper]

[If Riku had voiced his sentiments about this world Sora would probably agree. As strange as this world is? It has brought them together in a way they couldn't have been together before. It might not be the islands they call home but this place is starting to take root in his heart. And honestly, Sora has been away from home for so long that sometimes he wonders if he can really call Destiny Islands home still. When his heart has wandered all over the galaxy and now that he's settled here, he really wonders what he should call home at all.

But then Riku presses a kiss to his brow and Sora's heart flutters in the same way it always does. This gentle pitter-patter in his chest and a bounce of his new long ears.

Right. Riku and Kairi. That's where his home is. It's wherever they are.]

I'm glad we're all together here. [Sora murmurs, hands still holding gently to Riku's forearms.] You and Kairi are all I need.

[darkbreak]

[That's right. A they really need is each other to be able to have a home. It took nearly destroying their home world and almost the entire universe for Riku to open his eyes and realize that. A year of being away and fixing his mistakes, while also making sure that Sora and Kairi were safe and sound without him.

It took a year of being away from them, Sora being lost beyond Riku's normal means in particular, for him to realize what home really meant and what his heart truly craved and needed.

And it needed the ones closest to him. It needed Sora.]

I wouldn't have it any other way. [He purrs as Sora gentle little fingers run over his fur. There was a time when his appearance drove him away from them, but here? If it meant keeping the safe, keeping them together, he would become a monster 100x over and over again for them.

He holds his bunny close as they reach their cottage, relief and warmth overflowing his heart.]

I always find you. No matter what.

[oathkeeper]

I count on it.

[Sora grins happily and then tugs Riku inside. All that matters is that they're together and Sora doesn't think twice about the things that have happened in the past. Home is where the heart is. That's all Riku needs to worry about now too.

Right before they enter their cottage Sora does catch a glimpse at the sky. He can feel the change in the air. The chill and the sky's clouds shifting.]

You know, I think it's gonna be a full moon soon.

[Which in this world means that many monsters get affected by that full moon. Most animalistic in desires and instincts. Needy or angry in other ways. It can be a rough time for some monsters if they don't know how to deal with it.]